MICAP Research

Our MICAP Impact Assessments have been designed in concert with our MICAP Reviews. They focus on seven key aspects to assess their likelihood of having an impact on the investment.

Our proprietary scoring system is based on a completely objective assessment of a Manager’s responses to our due diligence questionnaire. The Manager’s responses combine to produce seven Impact Scores. The seven impacts we assess are Portfolio Strategy, Financial Security, Exit Strategy, Liquidity, HMRC Clearance, Regulatory Status and Manager Operations & Experience, each scored from zero to eight. A lower score represents an area that is likely to have a low impact on the investment, a high score represents an area that is likely to have a higher impact on the investment.

For instance, in the example below the investment has a high score for both liquidity and exit strategy. In determining the investment’s suitability this particular one may not be appropriate if access to funds may be required in the foreseeable future.

The focus of each of the seven impacts is outlined below:

Portfolio Strategy

This examines the diversification of the offer, particularly the number of investee companies and business sectors that investors will be exposed to. Where an investment is focused on a number of sub-sectors within one business sector this is also taken into consideration. Lower diversification can often mean higher risk, and so a higher score here denotes an investment with a narrower focus.

Financial Security

How secure investors’ capital is, based on the nature of the investments made. A higher score could signify a lack of real assets to mitigate risk, significant gearing, uncertain income streams or that the Manager does not have board representation to safeguard investors’ interests.

Exit Strategy

The exit strategy for the investment when that exit should take place, how long the process is expected to take and any factors that it is reliant on. A higher score can denote a lack of certainty on which exit strategy is most appropriate or that there are numerous contingencies that must occur first.

Liquidity

This considers how readily an investor can access their funds outside of any exit strategy organised by the Manager. Ignoring any potential loss of tax relief, this considers how quickly an investor can liquidate their holding. A higher score denotes limited liquidity for investors.

HMRC Clearance

Tax reliefs are not guaranteed, and this section examines the relative risk of tax relief being granted. A lower score typically refers to an investment that has been pre-cleared by HMRC, a higher score refers to an investment where the tax clearance status has not or cannot be pre-cleared and where there is no external and ongoing support from a third party tax adviser.

Regulatory Status

Investments are subject to a number of different rules regarding how and to whom they can be marketed. A higher score signifies that this investment’s marketing material has not been approved by an FCA regulated firm, or that there are no FCA regulated firms involved with the management of this investment.

Operations & Experience

This considers the operational experience of the Manager, based on numerous factors. A lower score refers to a longer established firm, with a greater number of staff with more experience in the tax efficient and private equity sectors and a comparatively large amount of assets under management. A higher score represents a weakness in one or more of these areas.

Please note: the MICAP Impact Assessments should not be taken as financial advice or a complete and comprehensive analysis of the risks of investing in the investment, which are usually set out in the Information Memorandum, Prospectus or Brochure supplied by the Investment Manager.

MICAP Scores and Risk Ratings are based on the analysis and opinion of MICAP and are not to be taken as advice. They may not be taken as investment advice and you should seek your own independent financial advice before investing.

Alternative and unlisted investments are inherently high-risk and invested capital is at risk. Nothing on this website may be taken as investment advice. Tax ramifications may vary depending on your personal circumstances. Please consult our full risk warning for more information.

MI Capital Research Limited is an appointed representative of Resolution Compliance Limited, which is authorised by the FCA (574048).

An Indagate Group Company

MICAP is a trading style of MI Capital Research Ltd, an Indagate Group company registered in England and Wales with registered number 08634361 and with registered office address 48 Queen Anne Street, London W1G 9JJ.

MI Capital Research Ltd is an Appointed Representative of Thornbridge Investment Management LLP (FRN: 713859), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Terms

Regulatory Information

Alternative and unquoted investments are inherently high risk and invested capital is at risk. Tax ramifications may vary depending on the investor's personal circumstances. Please consult our full risk warning on our site for more information.

MICAP does not give investment advice. Access to the platform is restricted to investment professionals such as financial advisers and wealth managers. Persons without such professional investment experience should not log in. Only information produced by an FCA regulated firm and issued or approved as a retail financial promotion should be shared with private investors.